Life of the Buddha - Mourning over the Casket

PAKISTAN

According to the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, Ananda was instructed to cremate the Buddha as would befit a cakravartin, a wheel-turning king. So his body was placed in a casket for seven days after his passing and filled with perfumed oil. Seven days later, the body was wrapped in a thousand layers of white cloth and placed in the casket, which was then sealed. Lastly, the body was transported outside the city on a carriage with seven canopies, where it was cremated using perfumed oil.
An incense burner is located in front of the center platform. The casket lying on the platform is decorated with lotus flowers and surrounded by disciples. The figure on the far left has palms joined in reverence whereas the one on the far right has a hand on the head. The disciple in the center holding a whisk is Upamana, who is superintending the procedure. Everyone’s expression shows sorrow at parting.